Headlamp with backlit side bezel signature image

ABSTRACT

A lighting system for a vehicle comprises a headlamp light source. A trim piece is mounted adjacent the light source having an inner surface illuminated by light from the light source and an outer surface visible from outside the vehicle. The trim piece comprises a light transmitting plastic body, wherein a signature image is formed on the body having a foreground region and a background region. The foreground region has a corresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the foreground region different from a corresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the background region so that more light from the light source is transmitted through the foreground region than through the background region. The outer surface may be fully metalized to provide a pleasing appearance under ambient light conditions.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to motor vehicle exteriorlighting systems, and, more specifically, to a trim piece bezel andillumination system having a signature image such as a name or logo thatis visible under both ambient light (e.g., in the daytime) andvehicle-supplied light (e.g., from the headlamp at night).

In the competitive motor vehicle market, vehicle styling is a veryimportant aspect of design. With regard to vehicle lighting systems,various important illumination functions must be achieved whilemaintaining attractive styling. Various types of accent lighting havebeen employed for both headlamps and tail lamps in order to give adistinctive appearance to individual vehicle models.

Accent lighting is often obtained using dedicated light sources (such asLEDs) which can be easily incorporated into a headlamp or taillighthousing or other vehicle structures to configure the lighting to almostany desired location, shape, or color. While dedicated light sources areeasy to control and to adapt to any desired configuration, they areexpensive to manufacture and install. Furthermore, independent lightsources might not be permitted by governmental regulations. For example,when headlamps are set to low beam, only certain lamp functions (e.g.,park lamps and side marker or position lamps) are usually allowed—sothat independently driven signature lighting cannot be used.

It is also known in the art to tap the main light source, such as theheadlamp (high beam and/or low beam), to redirect a certain amount oflight to an accent feature. In such systems, however, it is a challengeto produce even illumination (e.g., with no hot-spots) while utilizingonly inexpensive components. It would be desirable to obtainillumination of a signature image (such as a logo, name, or othergraphic or textual content) using inexpensive molded plastic parts witheven illumination and that has an attractive appearance under bothambient light conditions (e.g., daylight) and backlit conditions, andthat avoids creation of glare that may hamper visibility of otherdrivers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the invention, a lighting system for a vehiclecomprises a headlamp light source. A trim piece is mounted adjacent theheadlamp light source having an inner surface illuminated by light fromthe light source and an outer surface visible from outside the vehicle.The trim piece comprises a light transmitting plastic body, wherein asignature image is formed on the body having a foreground region and abackground region. The foreground region has a corresponding surfacecharacteristic(s) on the inner and outer surfaces within the foregroundregion different from a corresponding surface characteristic(s) on theinner and outer surfaces within the background region so that more lightfrom the light source is transmitted through the foreground region thanthrough the background region. The resulting difference in lighttransmission creates contrast to make the signature image visible, whilethe difference in surface characteristics also makes the signature imagevisible under outside, ambient light. Since the light transmission canbe well controlled, the creation of glare is easily avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a headlamp system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a bezel and refractor of theinvention in greater detail.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the Class A side of the bezel.

FIG. 4 is an interior view of the Class B side of the bezel.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a generic bezel surface showing thevarious surface textures that can be used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a refractor.

FIG. 7 is partial cross section of the headlamp system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIG. 1, a headlamp assembly 10 includes an outer lensand housing 11 containing a projection headlamp system 12. A lens 13projects light from a light source through outer lens 11 to illuminate aroadway in front of the vehicle.

As a first illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a trimpiece 14 is mounted in conjunction with headlamp system 12. Trim piece14 in this embodiment includes a front ring 15 having a side bezel 16for forming a signature image 17. Trim piece 14 is preferably moldedfrom a polycarbonate material which is white light transmissive. Trimpiece 14 has a Class A surface which is visible from outside the vehicleand a Class B on the non-visible side. All or a part of the Class Asurface preferably has a metallization layer formed by spraying a verythin layer of aluminum over the molded polycarbonate, as is commonlydone in the industry for giving the appearance of a metal or chromepart.

Under normal external lighting conditions, the metallization layer givesthe appearance of a solid metal part. Under sufficient backillumination, the metallization layer is thin enough to transmit lightfrom the headlamp system out of the Class A surface, if desired. Thepresent invention includes embodiments wherein the metallization of theClass A surface covers the signature image 17 as well as embodimentswherein the metallization does not cover signature image 17. Themetallization layer together with selective surface treatments (e.g.,textures) of the molded part creating selective amounts of lightdiffusion are used to create light transmission having contrast betweenforeground regions and background regions in the signature image to givethe signature image a pleasing appearance when backlit using light fromthe headlamp.

As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, front ring 15 and side bezel 16are preferably fabricated as a single molded part. A light refractingelement 18 may be mounted behind side bezel 16 in a light path from thelight source in order to divert a selected amount of light towardsignature image 17. Refracting element 18 may improve the evenness ofillumination across the signature image. A refracting element is notnecessary in all embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 3, the signature image may include a foreground region20 and a background region 21. These regions have corresponding surfacecharacteristics (on the Class A and/or Class B sides) to alter the lighttransmission through one or both of the regions. In particular, theforeground region may be brighter (i.e., with more concentration of thetransmitted light) by providing a smooth texture on both the Class A andClass B sides of the foreground region since a smooth surface providesmaximum light transmission and minimum diffusion. In the example of FIG.3, the foreground region is comprised of the letters of a name of thevehicle model. The background region comprises the area surrounding theletters and has a stippled texture on at least one of the Class A orClass B sides (preferably the Class A side) to diffuse a controlledportion of the light. The more diffuse (i.e., less concentrated) lightemerging from the stippled texture creates an apparent reduction inbrightness so that there is contrast between foreground region 20 andbackground region 21. In a preferred embodiment, the foreground regionmay be raised with respect to the background region to improvevisibility of the foreground region under ambient daylight conditionsand to give the edge of the letters a sharper appearance. A skirt 22 maybe provided around the signature image to further accentuate the area ofthe signature image. Skirt 22 may preferably be comprised of a groove orother change in depth around the signature image. In an embodimentwherein the foreground and background regions are not covered by themetallization layer, it is preferable that skirt 22 is covered by themetallization layer to further highlight the signature image.

As contemplated herein, the foreground region could also refer to thearea around the letters of a name and the background region couldcomprise the letters, so that the text or other graphic would beperceived as a negative image. In other words, the background regioncould be smooth while the foreground region has a stippled texture.

Diffusion of the emitted light at any particular region of the Class Asurface with a stippled texture is controlled by the grain of thestipple provided to the surface in that region. Rather than either ofthe regions having a smooth surface, they could both have a stippledtexture with contrasting grains. Light scattering of the stipple grainsis determined by both grain density and depth. Generally, the higher thedensity (e.g., grains per square millimeter) then the greater thescattering, and the higher the grain heights then the greater thescattering. Different combinations of density and height give rise tosurfaces with different Lambertian scattering characteristics. Moldmakers offer various choices of grain textures, which may be created ona mold using acid etching or sandblasting, for example. Grains having agreater or lesser amount of light scattering are easily determined sothat the diffusion of light at any corresponding region can becontrolled. When contrasting grains are used by the present invention,they shall be referred to as a mild grain and an aggressive grain. Themild grain has a first predetermined combination of grain density andheight that results in less scattering than the aggressive grain whichhas a second predetermined combination of grain density and height.

In areas other than the signature image, it is preferable that no lightbe transmitted through trim piece 14. Since it is desirable to fabricatetrim piece 14 from one integrally molded material which is transparent,and since it is also desirable that the metallization layer is formedwith the same thickness over all parts of the Class A surface, the ClassB surface away from the signature image area is used to reduce the lighttransmission into and through trim piece 14 in the corresponding areas.As shown in FIG. 4, a stipple texture is applied at a Class B surface23. It is applied substantially continuously on the Class B side of trimpiece 14 everywhere except at a region 24 behind the foreground andbackground regions of the signature image. Stipple texture 23 on theClass B side acts as a filter wherein light is directed away from trimpiece 14. The light that does not enter trim piece 14 cannot betransmitted to the Class A side. Depending on other properties of thetrim piece and the lighting system, the diffusion/filtering needed mayresult in a stipple grain on the Class B side that could be either moreor less aggressive than the grain used at the Class A side of thesignature image.

FIG. 5 illustrates various combinations of surface shapes and texturesthat can be used in the present invention to create the desiredillumination effects. A trim piece 30 has a Class A external side 31 anda Class B internal side 32. The Class A side 31 has a metallizationlayer 33 covering the entire outer surface. A raised feature 34 isincluded in a foreground region 35 of a signature image. Backgroundregion 36 is adjacent foreground region 35. A stippled texture 37 and 38with a first predetermined grain is provided in background region 36 inorder to provide sufficient light diffusion that the signature imagebecomes readily visible. A smooth surface texture is provided inforeground region 35 and at a region 40 on the Class B surface behindboth the foreground and background regions of the signature image. Theremainder of the Class B surface (e.g., a framing area surrounding thesignature image) has a stipple texture 41 and 42 with a secondpredetermined grain to provide sufficient scattering of light so that nolight is emitted in the areas around the signature image. On the Class Aside of trim piece 30, smooth surfaces 43 and 44 are provided around thesignature image so that the remainder of the Class A side of trim piece30 has a polished appearance.

In one preferred embodiment, the first predetermined grain in thebackground region on the Class A side had a grain height of 0.00125inches while the second predetermined grain on the Class B side had agrain height of 0.00100 inches.

A light refracting element 18 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 6. Oneside of refracting element 18 has a series of wedges 50 while the otherside has a substantially smooth surface. Light is refracted at thesmooth surface into the refracting element and out wedges 50 in order todirect light toward the side bezel. A pair of alignment pins 51 projectfrom element 18 to be received in the lamp housing in order to alignrefracting element 18 with the side bezel. Flanges 52 include screwholes for making an attachment to the light housing (not shown).

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-section through the lighting system whereina light source 55 is mounted together with a reflecting element 56.Light from the light source and the reflector are focused by aprojecting lens system 57 for providing a light beam toward the roadway.Additional light rays 58 from the light source 55 are diverted byrefracting element 18 toward side bezel 16. Reference number 60 showsother structures within the housing of the lighting system.

In view of the foregoing description, the invention has provided amethod and system for illuminating a signature image formed on a trimpiece of a vehicle lighting system mounted adjacent a light source andhaving an inner surface illuminated by light from the light source andan outer surface visible from outside the vehicle. The trim piececomprises a light transmitting plastic body, wherein the signature imagehas a foreground region and a background region within a relativelyopaque framing area of the trim piece. A portion of the light producedby the light source is diverted toward the signature image and therelatively opaque framing area. The light directed toward one of thebackground region or the foreground region passes through a firstsurface texture that causes a first amount of diffusion of the light.The light directed toward the other one of the background region or theforeground region passes through a second surface texture that causes asecond amount of diffusion of the light that is less than the firstamount of diffusion. The light directed toward the relatively opaqueframing area is substantially blocked due to a third surface texturethat causes a third amount of light diffusion that is greater than thefirst amount of diffusion.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lighting system for a vehicle, comprising: aheadlamp light source; a trim piece mounted adjacent the light sourceand having an inner surface illuminated by light from the light sourceand an outer surface visible from outside the vehicle, wherein the trimpiece comprises an integrally molded light transmitting plastic body,wherein a signature image is formed on the body having a foregroundregion and a background region, wherein the foreground region has acorresponding surface characteristic on the inner and outer surfaceswithin the foreground region different from a corresponding surfacecharacteristic on the inner and outer surfaces within the backgroundregion so that more light from the light source is transmitted throughthe foreground region than through the background region.
 2. The systemof claim 1 wherein the surface characteristic is comprised of a smoothtexture for one of the foreground region or background region, andwherein the surface characteristic is comprised of a stippled texturefor the other one of the foreground region or background region.
 3. Thesystem of claim 2 wherein the stippled texture is included on the outersurface.
 4. The system of claim 2 wherein the stippled texture of theforeground or background region has a mild grain, and wherein at leastone of the inner surface or outer surface outside of the signature imageis comprised of a stippled texture having an aggressive grain to providegreater scattering of light than the mild grain.
 5. The system of claim2 wherein the foreground region has the smooth texture and thebackground region has the stippled texture.
 6. The system of claim 1wherein the foreground region is raised with respect to the backgroundregion.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the trim piece furthercomprises a metallization layer applied to at least a portion of theouter surface.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the metallization layercovers the foreground regions and the background region.
 9. The systemof claim 1 further comprising a refracting element disposed in a firstlight path from the light source to divert light from the first lightpath to a second light path toward the signature image.
 10. The systemof claim 1 wherein the trim piece forms a skirt around the periphery ofthe signature image.
 11. The system of claim 10 wherein the trim piecefurther comprises a metallization layer applied to the outer surfaceover the skirt and not over the signature image.
 12. A bezel for avehicle headlamp, comprising: an integrally molded light transmittingplastic body with inner and outer surfaces, wherein a signature image isformed on the body having a foreground region with a first surfacetexture and a background region with a second surface texture, whereinlight diffusion by the first and second surface textures are perceptiblydifferent; and a light-transmitting metallization layer over the outersurface.
 13. The bezel of claim 12 wherein the first surface texture issubstantially smooth and the second surface texture is stippled.